Not Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boil-water advisory

in effect for New Orleans

until at least 3 p.m. - Sunday

A boil-water advisory issued for the east bank of New Orleans will last until at least until 3 p.m., Sunday, as officials await test results that will show if a prolonged overnight drop in water pressure caused contamination of the city's drinking water, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said during a noon news conference at City Hall.

It will take 18 to 20 hours for tests to determine whether an overnight drop in water pressure across the east bank system caused the growth of harmful bacteria or viruses inside underground water pipes, spokeswoman Lisa Faust said. Contaminants can cause illness, including diarrhea and nausea.

Sewerage & Water Board officials notified state health officials around 2 a.m. that a power failure late Friday at a water purification plant along South Claiborne Avenue caused water pressure to plummet across the city's east bank.

Such bacteria only can be killed by boiling, Faust said. Water filters at the tap, in refrigerators or in Brita-style pitchers will not suffice.

Residents should boil water for one minute after a rolling boil commences, then let the water cool before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, bathing or preparing food. Boo, but wait . . . I'm assuming this means I can put off washing the dishes for later w/ a legitimate excuse. Score!!

New Orleanians hoping to dash over to Starbuck's this morning found only locked doors. The baristas shut things down at about 9:30 a.m. because of water concerns, according to a pair of handwritten signs posted on the doors. UHHHHH....I went to Starbuck's this morning at 8:00 a.m. before work. EK!!!!!!!!

With the Saints slated to host the Seattle Seahawk's at the Superdome on Sunday, it's not clear how the uncertain status of the city's tap water might affect the 3 p.m. kickoff.